A little bit plumper, a little bit merrier, we’ve now tested all the luxury food and drink we want to include in this gift guide. We’ve experienced some sublime flavours, some delicious drinks and a lot of luxury chocolate. What will make the list?
As we’ve had no power for a week (yes, I know, you’re sick of hearing about it!) this guide will be filled in fits and starts over the next four days. Keep checking back to see what else has made the list and get your phone ready to make those last minute orders for the most epic feast!
Let’s start with a little game…
Woodmill Game – Pick Your Own Hamper
Game is not for everyone, we understand that but for those of you it is, THIS, this is the very best hamper money can buy. You pick and choose what goes into your hamper from headliners, to starters and mains plus a ready meal, nibbles and pies. We chose no venison as we’re surrounded by deer and often have them in the gardens. They’ve become quite precious to the children so we chose partridge and pheasant instead. The quality of the food is out of this world, delivered without too much packaging but still fresh as a daisy you will gasp as you pull out your feasts for the big day.
From the game bird roast to the partridge and parsnip soup every morsel smacks of indulgence, exactly what we’re looking for in our Christmas food for 2024.
Baxters Hamper
You’ll already be familiar with Baxters and may be splashing out on their branded cranberry sauce for Christmas but they do so much more. We chose the Vegetarian Vault hamper to test and were absolutely delighted, this is not just a hamper for Christmas, this hamper keeps on giving and giving. You will not be disappointed. It’s the perfect hamper to have to ensure you have every condiment needed throughout the festive season but more than that it includes a wide array of soup too. Along with the staples, the mint jelly, the beetroot in redcurrant sauce, the chutneys we adored the jalapeño relish, the sliced gherkins, the broccoli and stilton soup. The jalapeño relish will now become a staple of the Sunday Woman condiment cupboard, this is a stand out product that deserves to be slathered on everything from sausage rolls to chicken burgers, turkey sandwiches to roast beef dinners. The hamper really did blow us away but act fast, you’ve just a week left before orders stop before Christmas. Grab yours now.
The British Hamper Company – Christmas in a Box
The Christmas in a box hamper from the British Hamper Company delivers all you need for family feasts in front of the TV. From sweet and salty popcorn to indulgent caramel truffles you have every snack you desire to nibble on while watching the Queen’s speech or a rerun of Only Fools.
It’s packaged beautifully with every product sporting the same iconic British design which looks great in family photos too. Tasty, delicious and easy to access, this is another hamper you need to ensure you have all you require for a luxury Christmas.
Mademoiselle Macaron’s Luxury Christmas Box
A lovely little box of uniquely flavoured macarons from mulled wine to mince pie. These are an impressive looking treat to pass round a small family gathering. They’d also make a great gift this Christmas.
Yamas Halloumi
The squeaky cheese that everyone loves has become part of the British Christmas Lunch and why not? It is delicious with bacon and cranberry sauce, great as a starter or with the main meal and a delectable salty alternative to meat. Yamas also provide vegan options as well as a tasty halloumi with chilli too so there’s a Yamas for everyone at the Christmas dinner table!
Bubbleology Home Kits
We’re getting to the chocolate and alcohol soon, don’t worry, but in the meantime these home kits provide a little festive fun for teenagers and kids. The brown sugar milk tea with tapioca pearls is a drink to live by, throughly satisfying for those that don’t drink alcohol, or for those who want to wait longer before hitting the hard stuff! If you must have a tipple try adding a little Adriatico to the milk tea, it’s like Bailey’s but better. The fruit teas are also delicious with popping boba pearls that refresh and tickle. Great kits to gift, even better to share.
Love Cocoa Strawberry Spritz
This white chocolate and strawberry bar from Love Cocoa is delicious, creamy with just enough tang to make it interesting and refreshing. It’s a great chocolate to have around Christmas time for indulging or for creating the ultimate strawberry shortcake stack or cheesecake. Love Cocoa also produce a range of other chocolate bars for fans of high cocoa content and milk chocolate lovers. This is our favourite so far though and we think you will love it too. It has 35% cocoa solids which is high for a white chocolate and is made with beans from Columbia, it doesn’t specify where in Columbia or which beans but we know they’re delicious anyhow!
Pizza Pilgrims – Make Your Own Pizza
When Pizza Pilgrims told us they could deliver a pizza through our letterbox we were skeptical. We live in the middle of nowhere, JustEat, UberEats, Ocado don’t deliver here so how could Pizza Pilgrims? We soon found out. Their make your own pizza box arrived and we were delighted. The dough had already been proved so all we had to do was channel our inner dough master, create the bases and choose the toppings. What we loved about this package was the ingredients, they are of the very best quality and there are ingredients you wouldn’t expect, little extras, such as a delightful basil pesto and dipping sauce. The mozzarella is chunky and melts perfectly and as you bake it yourself it comes out of the oven piping hot. This is a great idea for Christmas Eve, to get the family together creating their own pizza masterpiece.
Play in Choc Surprise Boxes
These little boxes of fun have won our sustainability award as they’re made with less plastic, less sugar, are recyclable and still a whole lot of fun for children. Great as stocking fillers or for anyone limiting their chocolate intake who would like to indulge in a little of the cocoa goodness over the festive period. They make a great addition to crackers or an alternative as they have facts, jokes and a toy to make inside each one. With 30% less sugar they’re kinder to teeth too. Bravo!
For Play Chocolates
Staying with the play theme we have a game for adults. Most specifically couples. Aphrodisiac chocolates with a game, the ideal Boxing Day treat when all the family have gone home. Made with luxury cocoa and in a choice of dark or milk you can share these with your lover for a romantic night in. A lovely gift to let them know what’s on your mind or a game to pull out a surprise, either way we love these chocolates and think it’s a great idea to reconnect couples over this sometimes stressful period. They win our Best New Brand Award.
Walker’s Shortbread
Christmas wouldn’t feel the same without some all butter shortbread from Walkers. I still remember the Danish shortbread that came in a blue tin with swirls of biscuits in different shapes. These were only available in our house during the festive season so as I’ve become an adult myself I’ve chosen Walker’s as my shortbread of choice every Christmas. They constantly innovate with new shapes and fun new biscuits all presented beautifully in tins or decorated boxes. This year is no different and we will devour every single one!
Double Barrelled Craft Beer Tasting Pack
Double Barrelled are a very small independent brewery that have put together their favourite craft beers in this handy gifting pack. Ideal for the craft beer lover in your life or as a treat for Christmas nights in it’s available solely at John Lewis. The beers are delicious and in cans rather than bottles which was a little confusing at first but this just makes them easier to transport and wrap! You’re bound to discover a new firm favourite in this pack! They win our Best On a Budget Award.
Taittinger Champagne Brut Reserve
If you’re looking for some bubbles this Christmas look no further than Taittinger Champagne, possibly one of the best champagnes we’ve ever tasted. Fruity, zesty with a tickling pop and a refreshing swash this champagne is wickedly moreish. It doesn’t leave the dry aftertaste that many can and slips down so smoothly you instantly relax and luxuriate in its glory. We adore it. It’s available at all good retailers.
Smeg Coffee Machine
Have you ever craved a SMEG appliance but just couldn’t justify the cost? We all know SMEG is a superior brand known for their sturdy yet attractive kitchen appliances that emulate 1950’s American diners. This year Lavazza, the coffee people, have teamed up with SMEG to bring us an affordable coffee machine that sports the iconic SMEG design and produces a killer cup of coffee. A great gift for anyone who appreciates quality and coffee. Winning our Best on a Budget Award. Pair with the Lavazza milk frother for the ultimate gift!
ST-GERMAIN x Issy Granger Carafe Set
This set is sure to wow any guests, with a sparkling carafe and a delectable drink it’s a showstopper at any Christmas gathering. Exclusive to Harvey Nicholls guests will be suitably impressed as you pour the delicious elderflower liqueur and champagne cocktail, whetting their appetites for the evening to come.
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